Arts, Craft & Skills

1904

Clean up an Old Cast Iron Pan

Burn off an old cast iron pan either on the coals of the fire place
or in a fire in the yard. Not a roaring fire, you don't want to get it red hot, but just enough to carbonize the old coating. Let cool off overnight.

Use a dish cloth and salt to remove the coating by rubbing. Wipe it out well.

Wipe on a thin coating of lard and bake the pan at 350 for 1 to 2 hours. Let cool overnight.

• If you overheat the pan while cooking, it will start to stick again.
• Never use soap. Use hot hot water and a razorblade scraper. Dry on a top of the range or in a still warm oven.
• Never soak cast iron in water, even if you are not using soap, even for a few minutes.
• Season with solid shortening. Oils tend to become sticky.
• Some housewives like to use specific pans for specific uses such as one pan for cornbread only.